A progress report, delivered to the White House, showcases the Administration’s achievements in the areas of a strategy aimed at reducing our reliance on foreign oil, saving families and businesses money at the pump, and positioning the United States as the global leader in clean energy. It was just one year ago the President put forward a comprehensive plan in the Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future Highlights of the report include: cutting net imports by ten percent – or a million barrels a day – in the last year. As a result the United States was a net exporter for the first time in sixty years. Also, during the past year, American oil production reached the highest level in nearly a decade and natural gas production reached an all-time high.
The report credits much of the success to new fuel economy standards; improved energy efficiency in homes; increased renewable energy generation and developing advanced, alternative fuels. The report says the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy… has supported more than 120 individual projects aimed at achieving new and transformational energy breakthroughs.
Anne Steckel, vice president of federal affairs at the National Biodiesel Board, challenges the Obama Administration to – continue this progress by raising the volume standard for biodiesel next year as the EPA has proposed. Steckel says – thousands of jobs in our industry as well as improved U.S. energy stability depend on that decision.
Source; NAFB News Service